Page 154 of The Young & the Sinner

He wasn’t taller or bulkier than Mason, but I had never met a man who was. In fact, out of their little trio, Logan was the leanest, but he was in no way a small man. He just made friends with some pretty big people.

He was taking me in with a sharp gaze, so I fidgeted a little in my seat.

“Hi, Olivia. It’s good to see you again.”

I offered a small smile I didn’t exactly feel, but I supposed seeing Logan again was better than seeing Gage, who was the most cynical of the group and was also the one who told Mason he didn’t think I’d fit in with him or his lifestyle.

Logan, on the other hand, had been nothing but distantly respectful. But I didn’t think he approved of my relationship with Mason any more than Gage did. He was just more polite about it.

“Hi, Logan. It’s good to see you, too. Are you heading out for lunch?” Hopefully soon, so we could put an end to this awkward conversation. I didn’t even know why he walked over to me. He could’ve pretended not to see me.

“Yeah.” He let out a small laugh. “I drew the short straw and have to take the daughter of one of our biggest clients out to lunch.”

“That sounds fun.”

He grimaced. “No. Not at all. Carissa Johnson is nothing but a spoiled brat whose main goal in life is to marry rich.”

I frowned, not really understanding. “Is she trying to marry you?”

“Ah, no. I might make a pretty decent living now, but I am nowhere near in the tax bracket to be a potential future husband for her.”

“Yet,” I added. I might not know a lot about law, but I knew corporate law was where all the big money laid.

Logan smiled. “Hmmm. We’ll see, won’t we?”

I nodded, not knowing what more I could add to that. I was sure he was going to make some excuse about running late, but instead, he fidgeted around with his sleeves before motioning to the seat next to mine with his head. “Can I sit down?”

I shrugged, like I couldn’t care less. “Of course.”

He quietly took a seat, setting his briefcase down by his feet. I watched the movement, noting that Mason had a similar briefcase as well.

“I owe you an apology,” he said, surprising me.

My eyes jumped to his in surprise. “What for?”

“For the way I behaved the last time we met. I know you think I don’t like you, but nothing is further than the truth.”

“Oh.” I really did think he didn’t like me.

“I was… surprised when Mason brought you with him.”

“Because of my age?”

“In part, yes. And because of how innocent you are.”

I scoff. “Says you.”

He smiled, his eyes softening as he took me in, and I didn’t know what to make of that. “Mason’s different with you. I don’t know how to explain it, but he’s… lighter.”

“Lighter?”

“Yeah. I’m probably not explaining this very well. But Mason and I met during our undergrad years, did he tell you that?”

I nodded. Because of how long they had known each other was one of the reasons why I wanted his friends to like me so much. And we all saw how that had turned out.

“I know some things about his past, but not a lot of it. He doesn’t talk about it often, but I know enough to know he’s been carrying around a heavy weight on his shoulders for a while now. And I also know what your relationship with Max is like. I know how much you have come to depend on Max. I saw a problem there—a reason Mason could be hurt—and I didn’t like it. Mason is like a brother to me.”

I frowned. “I would never hurt Mason.”

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